Missouri football will not hold a spring game in 2025 or 2026 due to stadium construction
There will not be a spring game in Columbia for the next two years.
Missouri football announced the dates for its 2025 spring practices on Monday morning. The announcement also revealed that the Tigers do not plan on holding a spring game in either 2025 or 2026, due to ongoing stadium construction at Memorial Stadium.
Construction is underway on the planned $250-million renovations to the north concourse of Mizzou’s home stadium. The project is expected to be completed ahead of the 2026 season.
The cancellation of spring games has been a rising trend in college football, although Missouri’s reason is somewhat novel.
Nebraska, for instance, is planning on canceling its upcoming spring game to prevent, or at least preventing it from airing on television, to prevent schools from watching and potentially tampering with players ahead of the spring transfer portal window, according to head coach Matt Rhule.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian recently announced there will be no Orange and White game due to wear and tear from two straight playoff seasons. USC seemingly cited limited upside and injury concerns as it canceled its spring game, too.
Missouri may very well have similar concerns, but the reason cited in the Tigers’ announcement was due to ongoing construction.
Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz, who is entering his sixth season as MU’s head coach, is due to meet with the media for the first time this spring Saturday and likely will discuss the changes to the Black and Gold game.
Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz looks on during a game against Kansas State at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 16, 2023, in Columbia, Mo.
In 2023, Missouri’s spring game was moved behind closed doors due to cold weather. When they have been held under Drinkwitz, the Tigers’ spring games typically have more closely resembled walkthroughs than live, situational football.
The Tigers will hold 13 practices over three weeks this upcoming spring, with the first practice set for Friday, Feb. 28, and the final spring practice tabbed for March 20.
Mizzou opens its 2025 season on Aug. 30 against Central Arkansas.
Here is Missouri’s full spring practice slate. All practices are closed to the public:
Full Missouri football spring practice schedule
Practice 1: Friday, February 28
Practice 2: Saturday, March 1
Practice 3: Tuesday, March 4
Practice 4: Wednesday, March 5
Practice 5: Friday, March 7
Practice 6: Saturday, March 8 (First practice in full pads)
Practice 7: Tuesday, March 11
Practice 8: Wednesday, March 12
Practice 9: Friday, March 14
Practice 10: Saturday, March 15
Practice 11: Tuesday, March 18
Practice 12: Wednesday, March 19
Practice 13: Thursday, March 20
